Kawau Island

Kawau Island is another place full of New Zealand History.  For Maori it was the fishing grounds and stop over place for those tribes transiting from and to Northland. For the first settlers it was, sheep and the discovery of manganese and copper on the Island that drew them and as a result the building of the now famous “Mansion House” for the mine manager.  The land and building was later bought by New Zealand’ first Governor General (Sir George Grey) who upgraded the 10 bedroom house for his private use.  He later introduced many exotic plants and animals including zebra, monkey, possum, wallaby and kookaburra.  The zebra and monkey have long since gone.  The house and grounds at Mansion House Bay are now administered by the Department of Conservation and it is a great place to visit. Today Kawau Island with its multitude of picturesque bays and inlets is a spectacular place to visit for the day or stay as long as you like, there is no other place like it.